Interview with Darren James, 3AW
5 March 2022
HOST: The Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Scott Morrison, has called through and joins us now. Prime Minister, good morning to you.
PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. But it's not a very good morning today. It's numbingly shocking to hear about Shane Warne's passing today and plenty of other things going on in the country, of course, with the floods which are brewing in other parts of the country. But I think the whole country would have woken up in shock today. I know I certainly did. It was just terrible.
HOST: It was terrible. It happened overnight and as I've told the story earlier, I thought there were tributes at that hour at 4:30 this morning being played with highlights of Shane. I thought it must be his birthday. They seem to be playing a lot of highlights. Then to hear the news of that he's passed away in Thailand was a huge shock and we've been looking back at his career, which you would have no doubt like all of us admired, Mr Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER: Of course, I mean, he was one of those players that changed the game globally, not just here in Australia. We've had many great cricketers. I mean, we'd only just been mourning the loss of Rod Marsh the day before. So this comes as a double blow to the Australian cricket family and community. But with Shane Warne, that is just at such a young age, younger than me. That is a terrible shock to all those who knew and loved him. And I was only speaking to him at the Sydney Test earlier this year, and he was in fine form his usual wit and cheekiness, and he was giving me a few tips about my own bowling action on that occasion. I remember he wasn't too harsh either, I got to say he was very kind and he was such a character that was, I think, what Australians loved about him as well. I mean, he knew he wasn't perfect. His life was full of great achievements, but also regrets, and he carried them the same way with an honesty and a humility about it. I think, and I think people could see a lot of themselves in Shane in that way. And but his dedication and professionalism and talent and, you know, as a cricketer that was just unrivalled, he was extraordinary.
HOST: Prime Minister, is it possible to find the right words for how the nation is feeling today?
PRIME MINISTER: I think the first word is just shock. There's a numbness, I think, to this, and that will give way to an obvious sadness at losing someone like Shane from our community, not just the cricketing community, but the Australian community. And then there is just moments I think you move on to just reflection and you'll smile and you laugh and you remember the ball of the century. I mean, the look on Gatting's face, no one will ever forget. It was just, it was just one of the most amazing things. I remember I was watching it myself at the time, and I said what was that? And that was the whole thing about Shane's career. So I think just numb and shocked today, guys, I think is the real word. I've been in contact with Pat and to extend our, you know, condolences to the whole team over there. They've obviously had a shock as well over there with that blast that was 100 or so kilometres away from where they are. I've been speaking to the chair of Cricket Australia this morning about that, but also, of course, the Commonwealth Government will be offering a state funeral, of course for Shane, and we'll do that in concert with the State Government has done the same thing, which is totally appropriate, so we'll make the appropriate arrangements and of course, out of respect for what the Warne family wants and Cricket Australia. But, you know, at a national level, I think it's very important to honour him for the character he was. But most importantly, I think the way that, on how many occasions did Shane Warne lift the nation's spirits? On how many occasions.
HOST: Yeah and we've had we've had our Premier offer the family a state funeral. We've just heard. That's appropriate too.
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, I've been in touch with Dan and we'll work something out obviously that, of course, in Victoria. But and to do that, I think to the way that is appropriate and I mean he is a person of national and state significance, there's no doubt about that. But to pass away in such a shock, I mean, I can only imagine what it must be like for his kids that must be must be just terrible for them to find out this way and our love and support are to them. We all throw our arms around them as well.
HOST: Absolutely. Jackson, Brooke and Summar are all in our thoughts. Without giving secrets away. When you caught up with Warnie, would you talk cricket with him or did he want to talk to you about all the other affairs of the country?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, to be honest, we didn't meet too on too many occasions. And but it was only, you know, we were, I was at the Sydney Test that day and I heard he was there, and he heard I was there. So we caught up for a bit and he gave me a bit of encouragement, I got to tell you, not just on my cricket action, which needs more than encouragement, but you know, he was interested in the things that happened across Australia. He was interested in the future of the country. And so, you know, we had a good private conversation about those things, and he was very encouraging and I really appreciated him because, you know, it was a tough time over that summer and particularly we were going through. And he just, you know, encouraged me to keep going, pressing ahead and doing what we needed to do. And that was very kind of him to do that. And I'll always remember that about him. He had a generous heart and he was an optimistic guy, and I loved his cheekiness. It was just, it was so Australian.
HOST: You've got the COVID at the minute, you're up and about, you're sounding a bit full of it still, you travelling alright?
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah, I'm on the mend. This thing, you know, it's a serious virus, but I've been doing okay and I appreciate the ask and I do appreciate all the kind words and encouragement I've had from people around the country. But I'm doing okay. There's a lot to push through. You know, the floods issue is very serious and I've been in contact again with the New South Wales Premier this morning and dealing with the issues in the northern rivers and overnight. So it's very hard for people there, but we're getting the support to where we need to get them, up there in Evans Head or anywhere else. I know it's really tough for you and everyone's working through the night, at all hours to get as much support as we can. I know Victorians would be sending their best to everyone in New South Wales and Queenslander who suffered under these terrible floods.
HOST: Yeah, well, you keep your fluids up and also the great work of you sending that gear over to Ukraine, too. Was good to see the planes leaving just to support their country. You know, they are going through tough times, obviously.
PRIME MINISTER: They are. And I said that those that lethal defence support would be on its way and it's on it is on its way. It will be there very shortly. And our thoughts are with all the people of Ukraine, particularly Ukrainian Australians here.
HOST: And Prime Minister we've got Rob Sinclair. This is his hour. He runs a business called E&S right and it's kitchen, bathroom, laundry. He was interested when you were cooking pizzas with Josh when he stayed at your joint. And he says if you need new appliances in the Lodge, anything kitchen, bathroom, laundry, he'll spin you a good deal. I mean, Prime Minister, I'd love to know what you've got on the Lodge, prime minister. You know what oven you're cooking on?
HOST: Is it a gas or an [inaudible]?
PRIME MINISTER: It's a big steel thing.
HOST: You got no idea. Blokes don't know their appliances Prime Minister, that's the problem.
PRIME MINISTER: Yeah that's true, but we're well looked after there, but I tend to cook a bit more up at Kirribilli, but Josh, you know, he was he was he was a helpful hand in the kitchen.
HOST: Sure. And you mentioned your bowling action before with you talking to Shane about your action. I hope it's better than former Prime Minister John Howard.
PRIME MINISTER: Well, what had happened at the time, it hadn't been that long before I'd been up in Brisbane, and I was having a, throwing the arm over with some kids up there and Shane actually did a thing on Fox, where he did a full analysis of my action, which was quite kind. And I just mentioned this to him, he had a bit of a giggle about it. And he said you've obviously done it before. And I said, yeah, but no where near, you know, what others can. But anyway, it's a lot of fun. I enjoy getting out there and doing that with the kids in particular. And I know Shane did, too. You know how many kids did Shane Warne inspire?
HOST: Yeah.
PRIME MINISTER: You know, that are out there today, our champions of today and not just today, but for generations to come. He'll have an impact on this game, you know, we dare not say like Bradman, but gosh, if there was anyone who you could put in the same league, it'd be Shane.
HOST: Yeah. On that note, watch this space to some help from the government and the state to celebrate the life of Shane Warne, and hey really appreciate you calling through. Feel free to feel free to call through any time.
PRIME MINISTER: Not at all. Thanks for the opportunity. All the best to everybody out there today. We remember Shane.
HOST: Good on you. That's the Prime Minister, if you don't mind of Australia. ScoMo. Beautifully spoken.
HOST: He was very sincere and interested about all that, wasn't he?
